News

The gap left by the withdrawal of Scania's and Volvo's bonneted trucks from the European market is about to be filled by the Australian-built Iveco Strator. A Dutch Iveco main dealer, familiar with the marque's Powerstar chassis specially developed some years ago for sale in Australia, shrewdly investigated the feasibility of using the design in a package geared to suit European requirements. After a considerable investment, including the deployment of a Dutch engineer to the Iveco assembly facility  in Australia, the Charles Feits Group (CFS) of Born, Netherlands, has now produced the first two normal-control tractor chassis incorporating a Euro V-engined driveline.

The new model, which has full Iveco approval, has been named Strator. It brings together proven European driveline technology, the comfort of an air-suspended flat floor, and the distinctive appearance of the original, Australian-supplied, Power-star bonnet. The space between the set-back cab shell, with its redesigned interior, and the front-hinged bonnet has been specially engineered in the Netherlands to provide a stylish transition giving the Strator a quality factory-built look. Behind the Australian-built front bumper the standard Iveco underrun protection has been retained.

The first chassis, already in service with Martens Infra, a Dutch civil engineering and earth-moving specialist of Esterloo, is a 6x4con-figuration. It is powered by a Euro V, 540hp 13-litre engine. CFS has also commenced  build of 6x2 and 4x2 vehicles. Georges Simon, MD of CFS, points-out that the chassis and driveline are fully covered by established Iveco R&M, and can be serviced anywhere in Europe. Many of the ancillary units such as air tanks, battery carrier and service lines have been repositioned within the chassis side-rails. The steering gear and column arrangement have also been revised - a result of the cab moving slightly to the rear.

The Dutch-built Strator is the only new Euro 5-compliant normal-control vehicle on the market, and is attracting a lot of attention in the Netherlands.